2020 The Georgia Game

 So here we are in this strange 2020 football season with COVID-19 and each SEC team playing ten conference games which leads to Auburn and Georgia playing the second game of the season in October in Athens where Auburn has not won since 2005.  Strange, indeed!  In my lifetime we have always played Georgia in November, part of what Coach Dye used to call "Amen Corner."  The Bulldogs seem to be about a 7 point favorite.  They beat Arkansas last Saturday and we beat Kentucky.  Kickoff is at 6:30 on ESPN.  I hate waiting around all day for these night kickoffs.

FIRST QUARTER

Auburn wins the toss and defers.  Georgia goes three and out from their 43.

The punt goes into the end zone.

Auburn gets two straight penalties---false start---and we have to start from the 10.

Tank Bigsby is the starting tailback.

The Tigers go three and out.

Georgia starts on their 42.

On the punt return Smoke Monday is ejected for targeting on the punt returner.  Huge loss.  Jaylin Simpson is already unavailable.

The Bulldogs scrimmage from the AU 43.

First down to the 31 and then first down to the AU 15 as the Dogs convert a third and ten.

First down Georgia to the AU three as UGA converts another third down.

The score comes from the one.

Auburn 0 Georgia 7

The Tigers give up two third down conversions after the targeting penalty gives the Dogs good starting field position.

Can our offense respond?

We cannot afford a slow start in this game.

Again we go three and out quickly.

A slow start indeed.  We need a turnover.  Their defense is dominating our offense so far.

UGA starts on their 37.

First down to midfield.

UGA is gashing us between the tackles.  

First down to the 28.  The Dogs are getting a big push up the middle with pure power running.

Georgia is powering the ball between the tackles and we can't stop them.

First down to the Auburn four.

On third and goal from the four the pass into the end zone is deflected.  Why is UGA trying to pass the ball from the four after gashing us between the tackles right down the field.  They get the field goal but are still dominating the game.

Auburn 0 Georgia 10

First first down to the Auburn 45.

We move to fourth and three from the UGA 48.  UGA fair catches at the 16.

Georgia has 6 first downs; Auburn has one.

48-22 UGA rushing advantage.

First down to the UGA 39.

The first quarter ends.  It doesn't look good early.

SECOND QUARTER

Georgia is driving again and we cannot stop them.

First down Georgia to the Auburn 32.  The Georgia ground game is dominant.

Georgia is completely dominating the lines of scrimmage.  This is ugly.  Power running big time.

On third and nine the TD pass goes to Pickens from the 21.  Auburn tried to single cover Pickens and we can't do it.  That was too easy Stan White says.  Georgia is making the right calls and executing.  Oh, my.

Auburn 0 Georgia 17

If we can't score on this possession we have no chance.

Alas, we go three and out. 

UGA starts around their 28.

We desperately need a turnover.  Somehow we have to stop the bleeding.  We are getting beat so bad physically I don't see how.

Quickly UGA gets a 49 yard completion to the Auburn 12 as their QB has all day to throw.  This is ugly, ugly, ugly. 

The Dogs move inside the five.  To the one yard line.  Touchdown Georgia.  Total domination for Georgia at the line of scrimmage.  They are making it look easy.  No way to sugarcoat this.  I did not anticipate this.  Our defense is simply getting physically beaten.  Our offense can't get started.

Auburn 0 Georgia 24

Finally we get some movement.  First down across midfield.  An almost completion to Williams at the fourteen.  From the UGA 31 Bigsby takes a reception to the UGA 12.  We move to third from the 15.

Timeout with 3:54 left.

Georgia is called for targeting.  First down Auburn at the seven.

Third and goal from the four.

Fourth down from the three and we have to settle for the FG attempt.

The kick is good.

A disappointing end to that drive but at least points.  65 yards in 12 plays.

Auburn 3 Georgia 24

1:38 left.

Sanders kicks out of bounds.  We surely didn't need that.  UGA has two timeouts left.

Georgia is quickly to the 48 as the clock drops under a minute.

Our defense holds.  Georgia punts.  Auburn takes the ball at the 13 with 18 seconds left.  The half ends.

24 to 3 Georgia dominates.

THIRD QUARTER

The Tigers get the ball coming out in the second half.

Two first downs and we are just across midfield.

First down to the UGA 34.

First down to the UGA 23.

We move to third and 10.

We move to a long field goal.  Better than nothing, but we need touchdowns.

Auburn 6 Georgia 24

Unless we stop the UGA offensive dynamo we have no chance.  Can Coach Steele dial up something to keep us in the game?

The answer is no.  Georgia moves right down the field.  They are more physical than our defense.  When you run the football like and stop the other team from running you will win every time.  At least we force the field goal attempt.

Auburn 6 Georgia 27

We have pretty much gone to empty backfield sets.

The Tigers cross midfield on short passes.

We move to third and ten at the Georgia 49.

We move to fourth and one.

First down just across the line to make.

Bigsby runs for 9.

Third and one.

First down just across the line to make.  So far a long and sustained drive.

First down at the 27.

We get a holding call.  Not what we needed.  I could see #71 holding.

Then Nix is sacked and we face third and forever.  Will there be a miracle like 2013?

Third and 28.

Fourth and 12.  Hey, that's manageable.  :)

Nix is intercepted.  Well, that about does it as the third quarter ends on that play.

FOURTH QUARTER

FINAL SCORE

27-6 Georgia

Auburn vs. Kentucky highlights

 

2020 The Kentucky Game

This strange 2020 football season begins today as the Tigers entertain Kentucky.  Because of COVID the SEC opted to play 10 conference games instead of the planned schedules.  The Tigers and Wildcats get it started today the 26th of September with an 11 kickoff on the SEC Channel.  Auburn is favored by 10 according to one source.  I expect this to be a fourth quarter game.  Our offensive line is rebuilt and will surely struggle.  Our defensive line is rebuilt and will struggle.  Our starting linebackers are back I think.  Bo Nix is back.  Only 20,000 spectators will be allowed into the game.  No Tiger Walk.  It must feel strange to be on campus today.  (Freddy tells me that he has seen the line to 7.5)

FIRST QUARTER

17,000 students are in the stands spread out impressively throughout Jordan-Hare.  No War Eagle flight today.

Auburn receives after KY wins the coin flip and defers.

From their 35 Auburn drives across midfield but Nix punts to the Wildcat 7 on 4th and 1.

You can tell that there will be more short and quick passes this year.

KY pushes out to their 43.  Unable to stop them on a 3rd and 9.

KY first downs to the Auburn 42.

On a third and three with an Auburn misalignment KY rushes 30 yards for the touchdown.  Kentucky scores on its first possession.  Not good.  The Wildcats look like a poised, well-coached, well-prepared team.

Auburn 0  Kentucky 

After a running first down there is completion to Seth Williams.  "Worm" runs to the KY one.  Man, is he fast.  After an incompletion DJ Williams is into the end zone.  The offense looks GOOD on that drive.  The offense may have to carry us today.   THEN Auburn surprises Kentucky with Grant Loy hitting an open Shenker in the end zone for two.  How about that!

Auburn 8  Kentucky 7

Kentucky moves to their 39 as Auburn continues to give up first downs on third down.

The Wildcats convert a third down again and move to the AU 45.  Kentucky is 5 for 5 on third downs.

The quarter ends with Auburn stopping Kentucky on third down for the first time, the Wildcats facing 4th and short around the Auburn 39.

SECOND QUARTER

Kentucky goes for it on fourth and three but the pass is incomplete.  Auburn starts from their 39.

First play completion to Seth Williams to the KY 43.

First down Auburn to the KY 25.

Nix for 9 to the 16. 

We move to 4th and one after an incompletion.

DJ Williams cannot get to the line.  Both teams have now failed on 4th down.  Too bad.

Kentucky starts on their 16.  

Kentucky to the AU 40.

Kentucky to the AU 30.

Back to the 40 after holding call on the Wildcats.

Sack pushes them back to the 43.

Third and 28 for KY.

Incompletion!

First punt of the day coming for their award winning punter.  Into the end zone.  First and ten Auburn at their 20.

No go this time and Auburn punts from the 25.

From their 35 after the punt KY moves to the Auburn 12 as the clock runs under 2 minutes.

KY to the AU three with third and one.

1:14 to go.

First and goal from the one.

Just short of the goal line on the first down carry but it looked like the runner was in the end zone.  The replay seems to show touchdown but the call on the field stands.

Their QB is stopped short.  TO Kentucky with 24 seconds left the ball inside the Auburn one.

Kentucky attempts an ill-conceived pass into the end zone on third down inside the Auburn one and Roger McCreary picks it off in the end zone and takes down the sideline for the touchdown.  The play is reviewed to make sure McCreary didn't step out of bounds going down the sideline.  No, the play is reviewed for possible targeting by an Auburn player!  The play review leads to a targeting call against Auburn.  A 100 yard interception return for a touchdown is nullified.  Hall is ejected from the game.  With Big Cat Bryan not on the field the Auburn defense is seriously wounded.  Wow, oh wow.  What a disappointing finish to the first half.

At the start of this game I never thought the half would end 8 to 7.  KY gets the ball coming out in the second half.

Wow, oh wow.  What an eventful first half!

THIRD QUARTER

At the half coach says we have to get off the field on third down and our offense needs to keep the ball on third down and "we'll be okay."  Our defensive end position is thin.  Big Cat Bryan, who hasn't played yet, is trying to see if he an play on the sidelines say our announcers.

Kentucky goes three and out as Auburn holds on third down.

Auburn begins on their 24.

A completion to Seth Williams on second down to the KY 43.

But after an advance of one yard Auburn punts, but Nix punts to the KY two.  Nicely done on that.

KY is three and out again.  The Tigers almost had a safety as the Cats punt from the one.

Their Ray Guy award winning punter rips off a 75 yarder to the Auburn 24.

First play competition to Seth Williams at the AU 49.

The Tank is in the game in the backfield.

Competition to Stove to the 37.

Auburn gets a 10 yd. advance on penalties enforced on both teams.

To the 22 but procedure moves us back to the 27.

Nix runs for 13.

A run by Bigsby to the 8.

We quickly move to third and goal from the 11.

Touchdown Seth Williams in the end zone.  Williams climbs the ladder to the sky for the catch.

Auburn 15  Kentucky 7

Starting from their 27 KY drives for the touchdown with short, quick passes.  The score comes on a third down pass to the end zone from the AU 8.  The point attempt is no good and Auburn retains the lead with a minute to go in the third.

Auburn 15  Kentucky 13

FOURTH QUARTER

Auburn drives to their 47 but a poor snap leads to a punt.  KY starts at their 26.

The defense has to rise up.

It does.  On third and five from their 31 their QB gives up the ball and Sherwood recovers.  We are quickly to the KY 15.  Then down to the 6.  First and goal.

We move to third and goal from the four.

Pass to end zone to, who else, Seth Williams.  The fumble recovery leads to 7.

Auburn 22  Kentucky 13

With 4th and 5 at their 30 their punter tries to run for the first down and is tackled at the 27.  Very dumb play by Kentucky.

Second play 21 yd. TD pass to Stove in the end zone.  This game is trending our way big time set up by defense.

Auburn 29  Kentucky 13

Kentucky is three and out as we get a sack on third and nine.

Auburn gets the ball at their 40 after a short punt by their great punter.

Punt rolls to the 8.  Good deal.

Kentucky goes down the field with quick complete passes.

To the Auburn 29.

To the Auburn 13.

2:17 to go with the clock running.

To the five on a penalty play.

Back to the 15.  First play from there fumble! and Auburn recovers with 1:47 left.  That oughta do it.

Very impressive second half by the Auburn Tigers!!!

The Tigers run out the clock to win on opening day 2020.

FINAL SCORE

AUBURN 29  KENTUCKY 13

A very satisfying win by the Tigers.  After the cats closed to 15-13 our cats took charge.  I like the offense.  Maybe we finally have the right OC.

Pat Dye

He sent Bo over the top. He sent Tillman in reverse. He brought the greatest rivalry to the Plains. It was oh, so sweet, wasn't it Coach Dye?

Spring 2020

Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, the NCAA basketball season ended abruptly with the cancellation of the SEC Tournament and the NCAA Tournament.  There will also be no spring football practice.  Baseball is over for the spring.  At this moment even the fall football season might be question.

The Auburn Basketball Team

After ripping UGA 82 to 60 today our basketball team is 15 and 0.  The only other undefeated team in the country is San Diego State.  Who would thunk it?  Isaac Okoro is the real deal, our freshman starter.  I hope he comes back for at least one more season.  Austin Wiley is finally starting to show something.  Sooner or later this team might go through a tough stretch, but it seems to have the character to deal with it.  Auburn basketball is nationally relevant and it feels great.

The 2020 Outback Bowl Auburn vs. Minnesota

I have to admit that playing the Minnesota Golden Gophers doesn't exactly quicken my pulse.  Yet this IS a good football team at 10-2 with a vaunted passing game that will surely challenge our defense.  The team is wearing a #7 on the helmet to honor Pat Sullivan. Nice gesture.  Never want to mess with the AU uniform unless it's something special like this.  Auburn is a 7 point favorite.

FIRST QUARTER

First Gopher possession and Javarius Davis intercepts on third and two.
First down on the Gopher 12.
We cannot convert on third and 4.
Short field goal good.

AUBURN 3 MINNESOTA 0

Minnesota drives to a first down at the Auburn 35.
First down to the Auburn 24.  Good mix of run and pass.
The drive stops on the AU 22.
The field goal is good.

AUBURN 3 MINNESOTA 3

#4 runs the kickoff back for the touchdown!  How about that !!!
The Auburn speed shows up quickly.

AUBURN 10 MINNESOTA 3

The Gophers quickly go three and out.
Then we muff the punt!  Oh, my, why?  Tutt tries to making a running catch running toward the ball.
Minnesota starts on our 40.  How horrible!

First down toss to the AU 16.
Sixteen yard for the score.  Goodness!

AUBURN 10 MINNESOTA 10

Score tied.  Minnesota has had the ball almost the entirely of the first quarter.
4:05 left in the first.

Short kickoff.  Auburn starts on the 35.
The Tigers go tempo.
Just across midfield we are going for it on 4th and two but get a procedure penalty.
We are making mistakes early on.
The punt goes OOB at their 10.

There's a first down run on the first play from the 10.
Minnesota punts from their 27.

SECOND QUARTER

Auburn from their 35 to start the second quarter.
One first down and Nix short punts to inside their 10.
As usual our offense needs to get doing.  No rhythm so far.

So far Minnesota looks like the better team.
The Gophers move the ball relentlessly on the ground.  This is very troublesome.
First down to the Auburn 32.
On third and nine there is a screen pass off a blitz that goes to the Auburn two  Well executed by them.
First run from there touchdown.  This is not looking good if our offense cannot do anything.
The play is reviewed and the runner ruled down before the goal line.
Next play TD anyway.
The play is reviewed like the previous play and the runner ruled down before the goal line.
Third and less than one.
Fourth and less than one.  Might have lost a little bit as we stuff the line.
Timeout Minnesota.
There's a pass to an open tight line for the score.

AUBURN 10 MINNESOTA 17

This would a good time for our offense to show up.
We cross midfield leading to a fourth and 5 at their 38.
Hastings can't come up with what have been a first down on third down.
TOUCHDOWN AUBURN 38 yd. completion to Cannella.
The play is made by Nix's scramble to give him time to find the receiver.
Nix has the ability to extend plays.

AUBURN 17 MINNESOTA 17

4:15 left in the half.  Minnesota starts on their 25.
The Gophers move to a first down to the AU 30.  Not good.
A loss on first down from there.
There is a first down.  Minnesota is physical and effective in running the football.  Very disappointing.
First down run to the 17.
First down to the 2.
Their offense is eating our defense up.
TD toss to the back of the end zone.  Foot barely in bounds.  Play reviewed and call on the field upheld.
We let them drive for the touchdown.  Very disappointing.

AUBURN 17 MINNESOTA 24

32 seconds left in the half.
Minnesota clearly looks like the better team.  An uphill battle to win this one.
Mercifully the half ends.
Tough half.  Disappointing is all I can say.

THIRD QUARTER

It will take a huge turnaround to win this game.  It doesn't look likely.

We start just across our 30.
On third and three Nix is sacked.  Here she goes.
Can't run, can't protect the qb, what can you do?
Minnesota will start around their 26.
Our offense shows nothing.

Minnesota can run the ball.  Auburn cannot.  Big difference.
There is a running first down.
After one first down the Gophers are punting.
Fair catch on our 13.

The Tigers drive to a first down to the Gopher 31 finally a little bit of life.
First down inside the 15.
First down inside the 5.
Whitlow wildcats for the score leaping into the end zone from the three.
We have a game again.
Quick pace.  Tempo.  We had it on that drive.

AUBURN 24 MINNESOTA 24

Starting from their 25 Minnesota punts from their 28.
Auburn on their 20 after a 15 yd. penalty against us.
First down across the 35.
First down Whitlow across the 45.
We move to third and 11.
We move to 4th down at our 49.
We try a surprise 4th down pass from punt formation that is incomplete.
The quarter ends with the Gophers having the ball after a carry close to the Auburn 40.

FOURTH QUARTER

The Gophers go for it on fourth and less than a yard and our defense holds.
Big defensive stand.

The Tigers start on their 32.
We go three and out and punt from the 37.  Shucks!
That hurt.
Minnesota starts on their 27.
First play from the 27 a long touchdown pass to a wide open receiver.  Busted coverage or something.  OH, my.  That hurts.

AUBURN 24 MINNESOTA 31

We start on our 34.  One first down.
We move to 4th and 7 from midfield.  We cannot protect when they blitz.
The punt goes into the end zone.
The Gophers are out to their 40 from the 20.
We will need a turnover to win this game.
First down at midfield.
Minnesota moves to 4th and short,
They go for it and get a one-handed catch for the first down.  Their receiver made a play.
That'll about do it with a little over 3 minutes left.
Oh, well.
We can't a step late in the game when we need it.
Minnesota's offense wears out our defense, which didn't get enough help from our offense.
With 1:35 the Gophers have a first down on our 9 and they go into victory formation to end the game.

FINAL SCORE

AUBURN 24 MINNESOTA 31